The Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) has welcomed the Allan Labor Government’s $12.5 million investment to support the Dandenong and District Aborigines Co-Operative Limited (DDACL) – a critical step toward restoring services to one of Victoria’s fastest-growing Aboriginal communities.
The funding, officially announced by Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas this week, will allow DDACL to relocate and consolidate its services under one roof at Monash Health’s Integrated Care Centre in Cranbourne – following the forced closure of a key facility last year due to asbestos.
VACCHO CEO Dr Jill Gallagher AO described the announcement as a significant milestone after years of advocacy and uncertainty.
“This is a long-overdue lifeline for DDACL and a strong step forward after three incredibly difficult years,” said Dr Gallagher.
“The south-east Aboriginal community deserves access to safe, culturally strong services – and this commitment will provide much-needed interim relief.”
Dr Gallagher also acknowledged the alignment of the announcement with broader policy priorities.
“This investment reflects Government’s ongoing commitment to the Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Partnership Agreement and Closing the Gap priorities,” she said.
“Supporting ACCOs to deliver culturally safe, community-led care is fundamental to achieving better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We commend this step forward and encourage continued collaboration to meet the infrastructure needs right across the state.”
However, Dr Gallagher stressed that the investment in DDACL must be the beginning – not the end – of a broader commitment to address critical infrastructure gaps across Victoria’s Aboriginal health and Wellbeing sector.
“The truth is that DDACL is just one of many Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations in urgent need of upgraded infrastructure,” she said.
“Infrastructure Victoria has recommended up to $150 million to meet the immediate needs of health and wellbeing ACCOs, plus $30 million for essential maintenance. Instead, this year’s Budget delivered just $5 million in infrastructure investment for the entire sector – outside of this DDACL commitment.”
Dr Gallagher emphasised that while this funding supports a growing community of more than 13,000 Aboriginal people in Melbourne’s south-east, many other Communities across Victoria continue to operate in ageing, inadequate facilities.
“If we are serious about Closing the Gap and delivering on the Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Partnership Agreement, we need fit-for-purpose infrastructure across the state – not just one-off, piecemeal commitments.”
VACCHO looks forward to continuing to work with Government to ensure all Aboriginal Victorians have access to culturally safe, high-quality care – delivered on Country, by Community, and in environments that reflect the dignity and needs of Aboriginal people.
L-R: Member for Cranbourne, Pauline Richards, Leigh Gittens DDACL Board Member, VACCHO CEO Dr. Jill Gallagher AO, Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas and Member for Dandenong Gabrielle Williams
